WILD SUFFOLK - A COMMUNITY EXHIBITION PROJECT
In Spring 2024, The Bank Arts Centre was commissioned by Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils to develop a community exhibition project to explore the diverse and enchanting habitats within our local community and raise awareness of rural biodiversity.
"Wild Suffolk" invited individuals of all ages and backgrounds to create and submit artworks that celebrate the rich tapestry of flora and fauna in Suffolk. Using creativity as a pathway to engage without surroundings, the Open Call served as a platform to build a greater connection to nature, raise awareness about the pressing biodiversity crisis and explore ways of supporting our environment.
In Spring 2024, The Bank Arts Centre was commissioned by Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils to develop a community exhibition project to explore the diverse and enchanting habitats within our local community and raise awareness of rural biodiversity.
"Wild Suffolk" invited individuals of all ages and backgrounds to create and submit artworks that celebrate the rich tapestry of flora and fauna in Suffolk. Using creativity as a pathway to engage without surroundings, the Open Call served as a platform to build a greater connection to nature, raise awareness about the pressing biodiversity crisis and explore ways of supporting our environment.
ARTIST RESIDENCIES
Wild Suffolk was further supported by two associate artists who joined us throughout August and September for a programme of mini artist residencies. This experimental set up gave opportunities for the artists to create work on site, demonstrate their creative practices and speak to visitors about creating work inspired by rural habitats.
Wild Suffolk was further supported by two associate artists who joined us throughout August and September for a programme of mini artist residencies. This experimental set up gave opportunities for the artists to create work on site, demonstrate their creative practices and speak to visitors about creating work inspired by rural habitats.
Images: Patrick Baker's residency day
PROJECT PARTNERS
The Wild Suffolk Project was run in collaboration with The Suffolk Wildlife Trust to help raise awareness for their work and build community engagement with our environments. The exhibition's call to submissions was launched in June to coincide with their annual challenge "30 Days Wild" - which encourages everyone to engage with our local wildlife through small acts of kindness. SWT joined us at The Bank for a programme of fun family workshops over August and September - including wildflower planting, bug hotel and hedgehog home building! These sessions were free or low cost to attendees and an accessible way to learn about our local wildlife.
To find out more about The Suffolk Wildlife Trust's work, please visit their website.
If you are looking for easy and accessible ways to support nature at home, SWT's Actions for Wildlife page has plenty of family friendly ideas!
The Wild Suffolk Project was run in collaboration with The Suffolk Wildlife Trust to help raise awareness for their work and build community engagement with our environments. The exhibition's call to submissions was launched in June to coincide with their annual challenge "30 Days Wild" - which encourages everyone to engage with our local wildlife through small acts of kindness. SWT joined us at The Bank for a programme of fun family workshops over August and September - including wildflower planting, bug hotel and hedgehog home building! These sessions were free or low cost to attendees and an accessible way to learn about our local wildlife.
To find out more about The Suffolk Wildlife Trust's work, please visit their website.
If you are looking for easy and accessible ways to support nature at home, SWT's Actions for Wildlife page has plenty of family friendly ideas!
OPEN CALL EXHIBITION
The open call prompted artists and first-time creatives alike to spend time in nature and create artwork that is inspired by our local wildlife and habitats. From the submissions, received 33 artists were selected by a selection panel to have their artworks featured in the exhibition. Including paintings, drawings, prints, sculptures and mixed media.
The selection panel included:
Abbie Schug – Artist, Arts Director & Curator at The Bank Arts Centre
Lucy Elkin (Cllr) – Mid Suffolk District Councillor Eye Ward (Green)
Tim Weller (Cllr) - District Councillor Palgrave Ward, Cabinet Member – Environment, Culture & Wellbeing
Clare Wynn - Artist, Exhibitions Assistant
Patrick Baker – Artist, Artist in Residence
The open call prompted artists and first-time creatives alike to spend time in nature and create artwork that is inspired by our local wildlife and habitats. From the submissions, received 33 artists were selected by a selection panel to have their artworks featured in the exhibition. Including paintings, drawings, prints, sculptures and mixed media.
The selection panel included:
Abbie Schug – Artist, Arts Director & Curator at The Bank Arts Centre
Lucy Elkin (Cllr) – Mid Suffolk District Councillor Eye Ward (Green)
Tim Weller (Cllr) - District Councillor Palgrave Ward, Cabinet Member – Environment, Culture & Wellbeing
Clare Wynn - Artist, Exhibitions Assistant
Patrick Baker – Artist, Artist in Residence
On Wednesday 4th September, the exhibition was launched with a private view event in which artists, funders, community partners and patrons could explore the collection.
Project lead & Curator Abbie Schug.
Thank you to our Team of exhibition volunteers, Clare Wynn, Kathy Scott and Patrick Baker for supporting installation and planning of this project.
Thank you to Cllr Lucy Elkin (District Councillor, Eye Ward), Cllr Tim Weller (District Councillor, Palgrave Ward, Cabinet Member for Environment, Wellbeing & Culture), Zoey Banthorpe (BMSDC Arts and Culture Lead) and Liz Baalham (BMSDC Festivals and Events Coordinator) for your involvement creating Wild Suffolk, for allowing us to host this exciting project, and your ongoing support.
Thank you to Patrick Baker and Megan Welton for supporting the Wild Suffolk project as Artists in Residence.
Thank you to The Suffolk Wildlife Trust, and Lauren Mack (Wilder Communities Advisor, SWT Redgrave and Lopham Fen) for working in partnership with The Bank to provide a programme of community workshops in support of Wild Suffolk Project.
This project is funded by Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Council
Thank you to our Team of exhibition volunteers, Clare Wynn, Kathy Scott and Patrick Baker for supporting installation and planning of this project.
Thank you to Cllr Lucy Elkin (District Councillor, Eye Ward), Cllr Tim Weller (District Councillor, Palgrave Ward, Cabinet Member for Environment, Wellbeing & Culture), Zoey Banthorpe (BMSDC Arts and Culture Lead) and Liz Baalham (BMSDC Festivals and Events Coordinator) for your involvement creating Wild Suffolk, for allowing us to host this exciting project, and your ongoing support.
Thank you to Patrick Baker and Megan Welton for supporting the Wild Suffolk project as Artists in Residence.
Thank you to The Suffolk Wildlife Trust, and Lauren Mack (Wilder Communities Advisor, SWT Redgrave and Lopham Fen) for working in partnership with The Bank to provide a programme of community workshops in support of Wild Suffolk Project.
This project is funded by Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Council
ABOUT THE BANK
The Bank Arts Centre (Eyes Open CIC) is a not-for-profit, volunteer-led, community Arts Project providing a social and creative hub for our rural community. Based in a Garde II listed ex-Midlands Bank building, we host an eclectic programme of exhibitions, live music, events and workshops to provide inclusive and accessible experiences to encourage all to explore creative practices.
To find out more about The Bank Arts Centre visit www.thebankeye.org or contact:
Abbie Schug
Art Director & Curator
E: [email protected]
The Bank Arts Centre (Eyes Open CIC) is a not-for-profit, volunteer-led, community Arts Project providing a social and creative hub for our rural community. Based in a Garde II listed ex-Midlands Bank building, we host an eclectic programme of exhibitions, live music, events and workshops to provide inclusive and accessible experiences to encourage all to explore creative practices.
To find out more about The Bank Arts Centre visit www.thebankeye.org or contact:
Abbie Schug
Art Director & Curator
E: [email protected]
